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piercing |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Pierce \Pierce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pierced}; p. pr & vb n. {Piercing}.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF percier, perchier, parchier perh. fr (assumed) LL pertusiare for pertusare, fr L. pertundere pertusum to beat push bore through per through + tundere to beat: cf OF pertuisier to pierce, F. pertuis a hole. Cf {Contuse}, {Parch}, {Pertuse}.] 1. To thrust into penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. ``I pierce . . . her tender side.'' --Dryden. 2. To penetrate; to enter to force a way into or through to pass into or through as to pierce the enemy's line a shot pierced the ship. 3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as to pierce a mystery. ``Pierced with grief.'' --Pope. Can no prayers pierce thee? --Shak. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Piercing \Pier"cing\, a. Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively; as a piercing instrument, or thrust. ``Piercing eloquence.'' --Shak. -- {Pier"cing*ly}, adv -- {Pier"cing*ness}, n. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: piercing adj 1: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative observations" [syn: {acute}, {discriminating}, {incisive}, {keen}, {knifelike}, {penetrating}, {penetrative}, {sharp}] 2: high-pitched and sharp; "piercing screams"; "a shrill whistle" [syn: {shrill}, {sharp}] 3: as physically painful as if caused by a sharp instrument; "a cutting wind"; "keen winds"; "knifelike cold"; "piercing knifelike pains"; "piercing cold"; "piercing criticism"; "a stabbing pain"; "a gray world with ice and toothed winds" [syn: {cutting}, {keen}, {knifelike}, {stabbing}] 4: suitable for cutting or piercing; "incisive teeth"; "the piercing needle" [syn: {incisive}] 5: loud and sharp; "the piercing shriek of sirens"
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